These announcements are offered with respect to this week's wintery weather.
The Holy Eucharist with healing will be held as usual Wednesday, February 27. However, we always urge individuals to act with care and caution and not travel if conditions appear treacherous.
If the Wednesday morning Bible study is cancelled, the leaders will call all participants to let them know.
As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, the Wednesday evening Lent class is scheduled to continue as usual. If conditions deteriorate significantly, we'll revisit that decision and post an update here and also attempt to contact participants.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Announcements for February 24
Reservations Requested for the Fifth Annual Lenten Fish Fry
The fish fry is coming Friday, March 8, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Once again Smiley Tillman will be providing entertainment. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. All proceeds benefit PADS. Mark your calendars and invite your friends! Please call the parish office at to make a reservation.
Wednesday Evening Classes for Lent
Pastor Orr is offering an adult class for Lent on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the church. “Heaven: Who, What, When, Where, How.” You may attend any or all of the classes. This week the class will explore ideas about eternal life and resurrection of the body.
The Personal Observance of Lent
As Christians we are called to the personal observance of a “holy Lent.” Guidelines and various resources, including a significantly updated version of “Lent for Dummies” (available online here), are available on the information tables around the church.
Singers Go British on March 3
On Sunday, March 3, at 4 p.m., the Grande Prairie Singers present "On This Island: Music of the British Isles." Venue is Faith UP Church in Park Forest; tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Enjoy the music of Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Truly fab are songs from those four Lads from Liverpool. You can't Beat-le it! --Bob and Betsy Burgwald
The fish fry is coming Friday, March 8, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Once again Smiley Tillman will be providing entertainment. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. All proceeds benefit PADS. Mark your calendars and invite your friends! Please call the parish office at to make a reservation.
Wednesday Evening Classes for Lent
Pastor Orr is offering an adult class for Lent on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the church. “Heaven: Who, What, When, Where, How.” You may attend any or all of the classes. This week the class will explore ideas about eternal life and resurrection of the body.
The Personal Observance of Lent
As Christians we are called to the personal observance of a “holy Lent.” Guidelines and various resources, including a significantly updated version of “Lent for Dummies” (available online here), are available on the information tables around the church.
Singers Go British on March 3
On Sunday, March 3, at 4 p.m., the Grande Prairie Singers present "On This Island: Music of the British Isles." Venue is Faith UP Church in Park Forest; tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Enjoy the music of Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Truly fab are songs from those four Lads from Liverpool. You can't Beat-le it! --Bob and Betsy Burgwald
Reflection for February 24
I say heaven is a great mystery. If I’m me, and I have an infinite amount of time, what will I do to stop from being bored? ... I would like to see my mother again. But am I going to see my mother again as a thirty-year-old and me as an eighty-year-old? … What is it that constitutes me? How can it be preserved when we’re part of an ever-changing stream? Are we going to be in a changeless state? But if we’re learning, we’re changing. The whole concept is so full of conundrums; one has to have hope in one type of continuity, but a continuity so inconceivably different from what we’re in now that you get a headache from imagining it (Harvard astrophysicist Owen Gingrich, quoted in Heaven, by Lisa Miller).
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Minutes from Vestry Budget Meeting - January 6, 2013
The vestry met at 11:35 AM in the undercroft to plan the church budget for 2013. Present were: Rector, Kristin Orr; Senior Warden Frank So; Junior Warden Audrey Ongman; vestry members Candice Barrera, Anne Edwards, Steve Hofer, John Huntoon, Bev Keene, Greg Lawrence, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, and R.J. VanSwol; Treasurer Clay Denton; and Clerk Susan Marquis.
Pastor Orr expressed thanks to the vestry for the successful St. John’s Feast that was held last night.
Review of 2012
The pledge amount for 2012 was $199,629. Of that, $191,094 was collected. More money may come in this week prior to the deadline for credit to 2012 contributions. St. John’s saved approximately $19,000 in salaries and benefits due to unfilled staff positions. In part due to a warm winter, we required less heating and saved in energy costs. We have had energy savings every year since the preschool closed. The change to ADP also has saved us money.
Plans for 2013
Our current pledges total $187,929.
After discussion the vestry decided to budget the staff vacancies of office manager and Christian education director for a full year since it is unclear when these positions will be filled.. Pastor Orr commented that she would like to see the diocesan pledge determined on its own merits rather than balancing the parish budget by taking from the diocesan pledge.
Pastor Orr left the room to allow the vestry to consider staff salaries. As suggested by the diocese, the vestry decided that all currently staff will receive a 2% cost-of-living salary increase. The vestry further decided to pledge $28,000 to the diocese, which is an increase from last year but still not as much as was requested as our fair share. The vestry will look at the budget in six months to see if St. John’s can make an additional diocesan contribution. Greg Lawrence moved to accept the budget as discussed. John Huntoon seconded, and the motion passed with one abstention (due to conflict of interest).
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis Vestry Clerk
Approved: February 18, 2013
Pastor Orr expressed thanks to the vestry for the successful St. John’s Feast that was held last night.
Review of 2012
The pledge amount for 2012 was $199,629. Of that, $191,094 was collected. More money may come in this week prior to the deadline for credit to 2012 contributions. St. John’s saved approximately $19,000 in salaries and benefits due to unfilled staff positions. In part due to a warm winter, we required less heating and saved in energy costs. We have had energy savings every year since the preschool closed. The change to ADP also has saved us money.
Plans for 2013
Our current pledges total $187,929.
After discussion the vestry decided to budget the staff vacancies of office manager and Christian education director for a full year since it is unclear when these positions will be filled.. Pastor Orr commented that she would like to see the diocesan pledge determined on its own merits rather than balancing the parish budget by taking from the diocesan pledge.
Pastor Orr left the room to allow the vestry to consider staff salaries. As suggested by the diocese, the vestry decided that all currently staff will receive a 2% cost-of-living salary increase. The vestry further decided to pledge $28,000 to the diocese, which is an increase from last year but still not as much as was requested as our fair share. The vestry will look at the budget in six months to see if St. John’s can make an additional diocesan contribution. Greg Lawrence moved to accept the budget as discussed. John Huntoon seconded, and the motion passed with one abstention (due to conflict of interest).
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis Vestry Clerk
Approved: February 18, 2013
Minutes from Vestry Meeting - December 17, 2012
Formation
Evening Prayer and Thanksgiving Prayer Requests
The vestry assembled in the church for evening prayer at 7:00 PM. The group then gathered in the undercroft meeting room and offered prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. Attendance All were present at the meeting: the rector, Kristin Orr; senior warden, Frank So; junior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Candice Barrera, Anne Edwards, Steve Hofer, John Huntoon, Bev Keene, Greg Lawrence, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, and R.J. VanSwol; the treasurer, Clay Denton; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Parish Stewardship
Approval of Minutes from the November Meeting
Anne Edwards made a motion to approve November’s minutes. Mark Moxley seconded and the motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Audrey Ongman made the following motion:
Whereas the Rev. Kristin Orr is employed as a minister of the Gospel by the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist in Flossmoor, IL, which although providing a residence does not provide the full cost of maintaining and furnishing such a residence; the Vestry resolves that of the total compensation to be paid to the Rev. Orr during 2013, that $3000.00 be designated a parsonage allowance within the meaning of that term as used in Section 107 of the IRS Code of 1986. This housing allowance will apply to year 2013 and all future years unless otherwise provided.
Anne Edwards seconded the motion, and it passed.
Clay Denton announced that we will pay for Workers’ Compensation before April 1st. If we do not pay out what we thought we would, we will get money back at the end of the twelve-month period. R.J. VanSwol moved that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted. After a second from Mark Moxley, the motion passed.
Information
Rector’s Report
Pastor Orr expressed thanks to Alison Deniston for her leadership of the Cookie Walk and thanks to the vestry nominating committee comprised of Candice Barrera, Steve Hofer, John Huntoon, Audrey Ongman, and Frank So.
The rector received an email from Barry Berg, who, along with other of his family members, has had a lot of association with the outdoor altar and columbarium space. Barry, a member of St. John’s as a child, is an architect who did some design work on the altar and stone circle in front of it. He recently visited Flossmoor from out-of-state and noticed that the circle needed some work. After hearing that the church needs to expand and/or move the columbarium, he offered his architectural services pro bono for that project.
There has been a smooth transition and transfer of data to the new computer in the parish office. We now have WiFi in the office vicinity as well as high speed Internet. The new email address for the parish office is office@stjohnsflossmoor.org.
Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
The junior warden, Audrey Ongman, asked that people report building problems to her. She is aware that the floor tiles in the vestry room are moving, that floor tiles in the sacristy are curling, and that the roof is leaking in the choir room.
Upcoming Parish Events
Christmas worship service times have been distributed through the usual parish communication channels..
St. John’s Feast is planned for January 5th
The annual meeting is scheduled for January 20th
Discussion and Decisions
Budget for 2013
The rector announced that current pledges are approximately $185,000, which is about $16,000 less than last year. Another $5,000 to $6,000 in pledges still may come in. We have one new pledge. The office sent out reminders to those who had not pledged, and five or six pledges came in as a result. The office sent out thank you notes to those who pledged. Frank So will remind people at the 10:00 AM service on December 23rd to turn in their pledge cards.
Salary expenses for next year will be lower due to fewer hours for both the office manager and sexton.
Pastor Orr has contacted the Dean of Rockefeller Chapel for referrals of candidates for the Christian education director position at St. John’s. A seminarian doing fieldwork also may be a possibility for the job. Pastor Orr will look into the market salary rates for office managers and Christian education directors.
Access Project
Bev Keene suggested that fundraising for the access project should begin as soon as possible, perhaps by making building fund envelopes available. Greg Lawrence believes that the vestry should explore a phase approach to building. Audrey Ongman suggested that we go to the parish to ask for ideas about raising money. Pastor Orr noted that the vestry needs to keep up conversations about the access project within the parish, with friends, and with family.
St. John’s Feast
The feast committee announced the feast menu of chicken stew, cornbread, salad, bread, and ice cream. The activity after dinner will involve parish guests bringing objects that are special from their time at St. John’s and explaining the meaning of those objects.
Budget Meeting
The vestry will gather at 11:30 AM on Sunday, January 6th to approve a parish budget for 2013.
Closing
Following prayer, the meeting ended at 9:25 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 18th.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis Vestry Clerk
Approved: February 18, 2013
Evening Prayer and Thanksgiving Prayer Requests
The vestry assembled in the church for evening prayer at 7:00 PM. The group then gathered in the undercroft meeting room and offered prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. Attendance All were present at the meeting: the rector, Kristin Orr; senior warden, Frank So; junior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Candice Barrera, Anne Edwards, Steve Hofer, John Huntoon, Bev Keene, Greg Lawrence, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, and R.J. VanSwol; the treasurer, Clay Denton; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Parish Stewardship
Approval of Minutes from the November Meeting
Anne Edwards made a motion to approve November’s minutes. Mark Moxley seconded and the motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Audrey Ongman made the following motion:
Whereas the Rev. Kristin Orr is employed as a minister of the Gospel by the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist in Flossmoor, IL, which although providing a residence does not provide the full cost of maintaining and furnishing such a residence; the Vestry resolves that of the total compensation to be paid to the Rev. Orr during 2013, that $3000.00 be designated a parsonage allowance within the meaning of that term as used in Section 107 of the IRS Code of 1986. This housing allowance will apply to year 2013 and all future years unless otherwise provided.
Anne Edwards seconded the motion, and it passed.
Clay Denton announced that we will pay for Workers’ Compensation before April 1st. If we do not pay out what we thought we would, we will get money back at the end of the twelve-month period. R.J. VanSwol moved that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted. After a second from Mark Moxley, the motion passed.
Information
Rector’s Report
Pastor Orr expressed thanks to Alison Deniston for her leadership of the Cookie Walk and thanks to the vestry nominating committee comprised of Candice Barrera, Steve Hofer, John Huntoon, Audrey Ongman, and Frank So.
The rector received an email from Barry Berg, who, along with other of his family members, has had a lot of association with the outdoor altar and columbarium space. Barry, a member of St. John’s as a child, is an architect who did some design work on the altar and stone circle in front of it. He recently visited Flossmoor from out-of-state and noticed that the circle needed some work. After hearing that the church needs to expand and/or move the columbarium, he offered his architectural services pro bono for that project.
There has been a smooth transition and transfer of data to the new computer in the parish office. We now have WiFi in the office vicinity as well as high speed Internet. The new email address for the parish office is office@stjohnsflossmoor.org.
Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
The junior warden, Audrey Ongman, asked that people report building problems to her. She is aware that the floor tiles in the vestry room are moving, that floor tiles in the sacristy are curling, and that the roof is leaking in the choir room.
Upcoming Parish Events
Christmas worship service times have been distributed through the usual parish communication channels..
St. John’s Feast is planned for January 5th
The annual meeting is scheduled for January 20th
Discussion and Decisions
Budget for 2013
The rector announced that current pledges are approximately $185,000, which is about $16,000 less than last year. Another $5,000 to $6,000 in pledges still may come in. We have one new pledge. The office sent out reminders to those who had not pledged, and five or six pledges came in as a result. The office sent out thank you notes to those who pledged. Frank So will remind people at the 10:00 AM service on December 23rd to turn in their pledge cards.
Salary expenses for next year will be lower due to fewer hours for both the office manager and sexton.
Pastor Orr has contacted the Dean of Rockefeller Chapel for referrals of candidates for the Christian education director position at St. John’s. A seminarian doing fieldwork also may be a possibility for the job. Pastor Orr will look into the market salary rates for office managers and Christian education directors.
Access Project
Bev Keene suggested that fundraising for the access project should begin as soon as possible, perhaps by making building fund envelopes available. Greg Lawrence believes that the vestry should explore a phase approach to building. Audrey Ongman suggested that we go to the parish to ask for ideas about raising money. Pastor Orr noted that the vestry needs to keep up conversations about the access project within the parish, with friends, and with family.
St. John’s Feast
The feast committee announced the feast menu of chicken stew, cornbread, salad, bread, and ice cream. The activity after dinner will involve parish guests bringing objects that are special from their time at St. John’s and explaining the meaning of those objects.
Budget Meeting
The vestry will gather at 11:30 AM on Sunday, January 6th to approve a parish budget for 2013.
Closing
Following prayer, the meeting ended at 9:25 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 18th.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis Vestry Clerk
Approved: February 18, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Announcements for February 17
Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets Monday, February 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the church.
Thank You to Clay Denton
After 7.5 years sorting, crunching, and presenting the numbers, Clay Denton is retiring as parish treasurer. He has fulfilled the role with extraordinary dedication and faithfulness in service to the life and mission of the parish. Thank you and God bless you.
New Treasurer
We are also grateful to Debbi Huggett for taking over the position of parish treasurer.
The Personal Observance of Lent
As Christians we are called to the personal observance of a “holy Lent.” Guidelines and various resources, including a significantly updated version of “Lent for Dummies” (available online here), are available on the information tables around the church.
Wednesday Evening Classes for Lent
Pastor Orr will offer an adult class for Lent on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the church. “Heaven: Who, What, When, Where, How.” The class will explore the idea of heaven as it is presented in Scripture, theology and popular piety.
Pancake Supper Thank You’s
Thank you to the Seventh and Eighth grade Sunday School class (and friends) who helped set up, serve, and clean up after the pancake supper. Thank you to Margi Strombeck and Geoff Eysenbach for flipping excellent pancakes. And thank you to everyone who came and shared fellowship and food as part of this ancient church tradition.
Make Your Reservation for the Fifth Annual Lenten Fish Fry
The fish fry is coming Friday, March 8. Once again Smiley Tillman will be providing entertainment. Mark your calendars and invite your friends! Please call the parish office to make a reservation.
Singers Go British on March 3
On Sunday, March 3, at 4 p.m., the Grande Prairie Singers present "On This Island: Music of the British Isles." Venue is Faith UP Church in Park Forest; tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Enjoy the music of Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Truly fab are songs from those four Lads from Liverpool. You can't Beat-le it!
The vestry meets Monday, February 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the church.
Thank You to Clay Denton
After 7.5 years sorting, crunching, and presenting the numbers, Clay Denton is retiring as parish treasurer. He has fulfilled the role with extraordinary dedication and faithfulness in service to the life and mission of the parish. Thank you and God bless you.
New Treasurer
We are also grateful to Debbi Huggett for taking over the position of parish treasurer.
The Personal Observance of Lent
As Christians we are called to the personal observance of a “holy Lent.” Guidelines and various resources, including a significantly updated version of “Lent for Dummies” (available online here), are available on the information tables around the church.
Wednesday Evening Classes for Lent
Pastor Orr will offer an adult class for Lent on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the church. “Heaven: Who, What, When, Where, How.” The class will explore the idea of heaven as it is presented in Scripture, theology and popular piety.
Pancake Supper Thank You’s
Thank you to the Seventh and Eighth grade Sunday School class (and friends) who helped set up, serve, and clean up after the pancake supper. Thank you to Margi Strombeck and Geoff Eysenbach for flipping excellent pancakes. And thank you to everyone who came and shared fellowship and food as part of this ancient church tradition.
Make Your Reservation for the Fifth Annual Lenten Fish Fry
The fish fry is coming Friday, March 8. Once again Smiley Tillman will be providing entertainment. Mark your calendars and invite your friends! Please call the parish office to make a reservation.
Singers Go British on March 3
On Sunday, March 3, at 4 p.m., the Grande Prairie Singers present "On This Island: Music of the British Isles." Venue is Faith UP Church in Park Forest; tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Enjoy the music of Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Truly fab are songs from those four Lads from Liverpool. You can't Beat-le it!
Reflection for February 17
The Invitation to a Holy Lent
I invite you, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word (Book of Common Prayer, Ash Wednesday service, p. 265).
I invite you, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word (Book of Common Prayer, Ash Wednesday service, p. 265).
Friday, February 8, 2013
Announcements for February 10
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper this Tuesday
Come share in the traditional pre-Lent Shrove Tuesday pancake celebration, next Tuesday, February 12, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the undercroft. Tickets are $3 for children under 12; $5 for adults. Children and young people will have the opportunity to create the parish Alleluia banner and then “bury” it for Lent. Banner creation begins around 5:30 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Services
Ash Wednesday is This Wednesday, February 13. The Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes will be offered at 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The Personal Observance of Lent
As Christians we are called to the personal observance of a “holy Lent.” Guidelines and various resources, including a significantly updated version of “Lent for Dummies” (available online here), are available on the information tables around the church.
Wednesday Evening Classes for Lent
Pastor Orr will offer an adult class for Lent on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the church. “Heaven: Who, What, When, Where, How.” The class will explore the idea of heaven as it is presented in Scripture, theology and popular piety.
Diocesan Absalom Jones Celebration
Absalom Jones is celebrated as the first African-American priest in the Episcopal Church. The Chicago Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians is hosting the 29th diocesan-wide celebration of Absalom Jones on Sunday, February 10, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 3801 South Wabash Avenue. Professor Johari Jabir will be the speaker. All are welcome.
Fifth Annual Lenten Fish Fry
The fish fry is coming Friday, March 8. Once again Smiley Tillman will be providing entertainment. Mark your calendars and invite your friends!
Come share in the traditional pre-Lent Shrove Tuesday pancake celebration, next Tuesday, February 12, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the undercroft. Tickets are $3 for children under 12; $5 for adults. Children and young people will have the opportunity to create the parish Alleluia banner and then “bury” it for Lent. Banner creation begins around 5:30 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Services
Ash Wednesday is This Wednesday, February 13. The Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes will be offered at 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The Personal Observance of Lent
As Christians we are called to the personal observance of a “holy Lent.” Guidelines and various resources, including a significantly updated version of “Lent for Dummies” (available online here), are available on the information tables around the church.
Wednesday Evening Classes for Lent
Pastor Orr will offer an adult class for Lent on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the church. “Heaven: Who, What, When, Where, How.” The class will explore the idea of heaven as it is presented in Scripture, theology and popular piety.
Diocesan Absalom Jones Celebration
Absalom Jones is celebrated as the first African-American priest in the Episcopal Church. The Chicago Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians is hosting the 29th diocesan-wide celebration of Absalom Jones on Sunday, February 10, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 3801 South Wabash Avenue. Professor Johari Jabir will be the speaker. All are welcome.
Fifth Annual Lenten Fish Fry
The fish fry is coming Friday, March 8. Once again Smiley Tillman will be providing entertainment. Mark your calendars and invite your friends!
Reflection for February 10
Lent is a time when we pray, when we fast, when we study, when we give alms. It’s a time of solidarity and it is particularly a time to be in solidarity with the least of these.
As you prepare for your Lenten season and your Lenten discipline, I’d encourage you to think about consciousness in eating. That’s really more what fasting is about than giving up chocolate. Being conscious of what you eat, standing in solidarity with those who are hungry, whether it is for food, or shelter, or peace, or dignity, or recognition, or for love (Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s Lent Message; view it as a video here).
As you prepare for your Lenten season and your Lenten discipline, I’d encourage you to think about consciousness in eating. That’s really more what fasting is about than giving up chocolate. Being conscious of what you eat, standing in solidarity with those who are hungry, whether it is for food, or shelter, or peace, or dignity, or recognition, or for love (Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s Lent Message; view it as a video here).
Friday, February 1, 2013
Lent for Dummies
The
Observance of a Holy Lent
(Lent
for Dummies)
As Christians in the tradition of the Episcopal Church, we
are all called, in the name of the Church “to the observance of a holy Lent, by
self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by
reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”
THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW about Lent:
·
Lent is a time of spiritual preparation for the
great celebration of Easter.
·
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 13 this
year). It lasts 40 days, not
counting Sundays, and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter.
·
The liturgical color for Lent is purple, a royal
color, signifying Jesus’ reign in the Kingdom of God. Purple has also been called “mitigated black,” signifying
the somber, penitential character of Lent.
AT A MINIMUM, EVERYONE’S OBSERVANCE of Lent should include:
·
Attending corporate worship on Ash Wednesday,
every Sunday in Lent, and every day in Holy Week, especially Maundy Thursday
and Good Friday.
·
Keeping the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday (for all who are medically able).
Eat simply, avoiding red meat.
A more rigorous fast avoids all meat. A strict fast permits only juice
and clear liquids until after sundown.
·
The adoption of some intentional Lenten
discipline to help focus awareness on our dependence on God. “Give up” or “take on” something for
Lent.
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR LENTEN DISCIPLINES.
These suggestions
might be particularly appropriate for children and families.
+ Pray daily.
·
If you are new to daily prayer, try all or part
of the Daily Devotions for Individuals
and Families (Book of Common Prayer, p. 136-140).
·
Pray the Daily Office (Morning and/or Evening
Prayer). Anglicans have been
praying these prayers since the Reformation. They are in the BCP or you can find entire services on-line,
including music (if you wish) and the appropriate Scripture readings for the
day at Mission St. Clare.
·
Pray the Psalms. In the Book of Common Prayer (p. 585) they are labeled so that the entire Psalter can be
prayed in a month: First Day: Morning Prayer, First Day:
Evening Prayer, Second Day: Morning Prayer, etc.
·
Pray using the Daily Collect and Readings for Lent pamphlet available at the
church.
+ Make a
personal, private confession.
(Yes, we do that. Speak to
the priest.)
+ Give up
something or some practice in your life that squanders life’s goodness or
wastes life’s giftedness. Give up
whatever you do to “kill time.”
+ Give up a luxury… dessert, alcohol, “gourmet” coffee, television.
+ Attend the
Lenten study series on Wednesday nights at St. John’s.
+ Participate in Lent Madness, a fun way
to learn about the lives of exemplary Christians. Saints are arranged in a competitive bracket. Read about the saints and vote daily
online at Lent Madness.
+ Use one of many
resources to maintain a daily practice of reflection.
·
Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten Meditations booklets are
available at the church. You may
also subscribe to receive them via e-mail at ERD's website.
·
Join the
Journey Through Lent 2013 posters are available at the church.
·
Renew a
Right Spirit Within Me pamphlets are available at the church. Another daily meditation booklet, these
are from a new Episcopal ministry called Living Compass and focus on spiritual and
physical wholeness and wellness.
+ Spend Lent with
the “Cowley Fathers,” the brothers of the Society of St. John the
Evangelist. The oldest men’s
Anglican monastic community, their American branch is based in Cambridge, Mass. They will be posting daily video
reflections online on pinterest.
+ Keep any of the
fasts described above for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday on all of the Fridays
in Lent.
+ Study Anne
Lamott’s new book Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers with Bishop
Jeff Lee, Episcopal Bishop of Chicago.
He will be posting his thoughts and reflections on the diocesan blog.
+ Read the Litany
of Penitence (p. 267 in the Book of Common Prayer) daily and identify one (one
is enough) specific sin you have committed in the activities of each day… a particular word said or left unsaid,
an action done of left undone. Avoid
noting vague or general sins. In corporate worship on Sunday, (silently) ask
God’s forgiveness for these specific sins at the time of the General Confession.
+ Read the
General Thanksgiving (p. 836 in the Book of Common Prayer) daily and identify
one (or more if you just can’t stop) specific things you are thankful
for each day. In corporate worship
on Sunday, give thanks to God.
+ Every time you mess up or fail with your
Lenten discipline, put aside a set amount of money and, at the end of
Lent, give it to the church or another organization that does God’s work. Or simply put aside money daily as a
Lenten discipline.
Announcements for February 3
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 12
Lent will be here soon. Mark your calendars for the traditional pre-Lent Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, next Tuesday, February 12, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the undercroft.
Yarn Ministry
The yarn ministry meets this Monday, February 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room.
Ash Wednesday Services
Ash Wednesday is February 13. The Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes will be offered at 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The Personal Observance of Lent
As Christians we are called to the personal observance of a “holy Lent.” Guidelines and various resources, including a significantly updated version of “Lent for Dummies” (online here), are available on the information tables around the church.
Men’s Retreat with Bishop Epting
The Alpha and Bravo Men’s Groups at St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church are sponsoring an overnight Lent retreat for men at the Dekoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin, beginning Friday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m. and continuing through Saturday, February 9, until 1:30 p.m. Bishop Epting is the retreat leader; it is open to all men of the diocese. A flyer is posted in the undercroft.
Fifth Annual Lenten Fish Fry
The fish fry is coming Friday, March 8. Once again Smiley Tillman will be providing entertainment. Mark your calendars and invite your friends!
Lent will be here soon. Mark your calendars for the traditional pre-Lent Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, next Tuesday, February 12, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the undercroft.
Yarn Ministry
The yarn ministry meets this Monday, February 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room.
Ash Wednesday Services
Ash Wednesday is February 13. The Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes will be offered at 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The Personal Observance of Lent
As Christians we are called to the personal observance of a “holy Lent.” Guidelines and various resources, including a significantly updated version of “Lent for Dummies” (online here), are available on the information tables around the church.
Men’s Retreat with Bishop Epting
The Alpha and Bravo Men’s Groups at St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church are sponsoring an overnight Lent retreat for men at the Dekoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin, beginning Friday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m. and continuing through Saturday, February 9, until 1:30 p.m. Bishop Epting is the retreat leader; it is open to all men of the diocese. A flyer is posted in the undercroft.
Fifth Annual Lenten Fish Fry
The fish fry is coming Friday, March 8. Once again Smiley Tillman will be providing entertainment. Mark your calendars and invite your friends!
Reflection for February 3
God knows, not I, whether I have ever tasted this love [a supernatural Appreciative Love towards God himself]. Perhaps I have only imagined the tasting.... Perhaps, for many of us, all experience merely defines, so to speak, the shape of that gap where our love of God ought to be. It is not enough. It is something. If we cannot “practice the presence of God”, it is something to practice the absence of God, to become increasingly aware of our unawareness till we feel like men who should stand beside a great cataract and hear no noise, or like a man in a story who looks in a mirror and finds no face there, or a man in a dream who stretches out his hand to visible objects and gets no sensation of touch. To know that one is dreaming is to be no longer perfectly asleep. But for news of the fully waking world you must go to my betters (C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves).
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